FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Somerville Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Somerville Small Business Loans
Somerville unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000, with terms ranging from 3 and 24 months, cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
You can apply to this Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes over the phone. You’ll get an immediate response, and funds may be available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an annual rate of interest together with additional fees and charges. Our company loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll know in advance the total amount to be paid, including any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is divided into weekly or daily installment amount.
What can the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used for virtually any business use, including managing cash flows, company remodels and marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, to fund general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
About Larger Somerville Business Loans
What is the Larger Somerville Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in company growth opportunities. Loans range between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly depending on your cash flow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, determined at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit that is this large, your business needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of at least $700K. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old or have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at minimum 12 months of continuous trading.
What can the funding be used for?
A large business loan can be used for nearly any company purpose including company remodeling, buying equipment or inventory as well as for general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is required to access funding over $150,000. This can be done by way of charge against assets, and may include registration on the PPSR or the registration of as a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a promise to repay a loan which is general in nature rather than defining security over an asset. The person who signs the guarantee is personally responsible if the company creditor is unable to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been which are registered with respect to personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR permits priority over personal property to be granted according to the date the security interest that is registered.
Caveats are legal document filed to provide notice of a legal claim against a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re requesting a Larger Business Loan of $250,000 or more it’s possible to offer an initial pre-approval to simplify the process. It is possible to apply for this without credit checks and within six hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon a preliminary assessment which includes the answer to a series of financial well-being checks. It is in no way an offer, nor is it a guarantee of credit. Acceptance without condition is subject to an extensive credit evaluation and any offer you receive could be based on different conditions.
The application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You are eligible to apply for a company loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over the age of 18 and own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months’ worth of transactions (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Complete the online form within a couple minutes, and a dedicated company loan specialist will be in touch to guide you.
To be eligible for up to $100,000 you’ll require identification details (valid Driver’s License) along with a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if loan above $150K).
$250K to $500K: Information on the application including credit consent as well as 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, and interim current financial year financials as well as Aged Payables and Receivables reports.
How fast will I get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) We can usually provide a response in one hour if you make your application within standard company times and permit us to make use of the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statements , we are able to provide an answer in just one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we might be likely to provide you with a conditional pre-approval within about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is between 2 and 3 days for the final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the specifics of each application. Certain transactions have received approval within 24 hours.
The fastest way can be make sure you apply during normal company hours. Also, allow us to use the modern bank verification to instantly verify your bank account information online. If you decide to send us copies of your bank statements , it can take a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we typically offer a response in one hour – as long as you apply within normal business times and let us use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements, we’ll be able to provide a decision within an business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) We may be in a position to offer the conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval form, it will take between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Certain offers have been approved in just 24 hours.
The fastest way can be make sure you apply during standard business hours and permit us to use the modern bank verification to confirm your bank details online. If you send us copies of your bank statement, it can take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer the loan amount between $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a particular amount, we take into consideration a range of aspects for determining the health for your business and the extent of repayments your business can support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specifics of your business.
When you submit an application for a certain amount, we will consider a number of elements to determine how much we can lend you such as health for your company and the extent of repayments your business can support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particulars the company.
Fees & repayments
How much do you charge for a company loan?
When you request our business loans, we will assess the risk assessment of your company and provide an individualised offer including the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. It is a business loan is an upfront priced loan so you will be aware of the total amount due, which includes any charges, interest rates or fees.
What determines the amount I’m charged?
Interest rates for business loans rates vary due to factors such as the amount that is borrowed, the business assets the money will be used for and the sector the business is operating in, how long the business has been in operation for, how long the company has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and the overall health or financial standing of the business.
What are the charges?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our company loans, and you’ll know precisely how much you need to pay, and when, starting from the day you sign up. There’s no compounding and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as you make your payments in time).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to make an application for loans without any upfront costs or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated with setting up and managing the loan. You are only charged this cost if you take out the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percent of the amount of loan.
Can I repay the loan in advance?
You can repay the entire amount of your loan in full at any time.
If you are deciding to pursue this option, please speak to our friendly business credit professionals. We will offer you with details for repayment and an early payment figure. The figure will be calculated as the sum of the remaining principal amount plus any accrued interest as of the date of early payout and 1.5 percent of the principal amount remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
What is the process for repayments?
To help you avoid missing due dates and also to be in line your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
The security of your personal information, as well as knowing the ways we gather data, process, exchange and protect your information, is crucial and is a crucial aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to protecting the security of customers and security. We make use of an advanced bank verification system link to instantly confirm your bank account information online. This allows us to offer quick responses.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where a company owner borrows from assets they own to obtain the funding. The asset could be an individual property, such as the family home or a business asset like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of lending institutions, including the major banks, prefer to secure loans against assets. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then your assets could be transferred to the lender. In essence, it is a way of securing new funding taking advantage of the value of what you already own.
Are I need security to secure a business loan?
Up to $150,000 in loans the requirement for asset security is not required before you can access the money However, we do need the personal guarantee. So long as you comply with the terms of your loan (as specified in your loan contract document) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be needed. If you take out loans in excess of $150K generally, there is personal guarantee and security that is in the form charges on assets.